Valparaiso’s Memorial Opera House performed the musical “9 to 5” that was a hit, especially to those in the audience who resonated with feminists and generation X. This is definitely a show you'd leave your kids at home for as it's a musical rooted in adult humor; which left the audience laughing during every scene.
9 to 5 is set during the 1980’s when the pay equality movement was blooming to bring attention and awareness for workplace discrimination against women. During this time period, organizations of women office workers demanded better pay, working conditions and opportunities for advancement in the workplace.
The storyline was told in a way that would commemorate history while making it entertaining. Humor and satire were used to convey the emotion and attitude that the Director, Emily Ramirez, had hoped and dreamed for.
“It’s a really fun way of packaging those real harsh topics in a way that was a little bit easier to follow and a little bit more palatable,” said Ramirez.
Three women – Violet, Judy and Doralee – go through a different struggle of their own but all find themselves in the same place. They experience hardships, such as sexual harassment, which was evident for the 1980’s. Then, they have to navigate this world in the year 1980 and try to figure out how to do better for themselves.
Having a women director directing a musical about women empowerment speaks volume. Not only is Ramirez a director, but she is a feminist and comedian as well. During this musicial, she was able to combine all her worlds into one singular play. Having the musical be told by a woman's point of view adds a more touching, personal element to the storyline.
“Sometimes, women are written in musicals to be a little bit one-dimensional or to be just sort of a trope, and especially in musicals like this that can be can be in a fun way,” said Ramirez.
Ramirez was able to add her own spin on the musical by including what she calls “easter eggs” that were placed throughout the musical. Based on her own experiences that she may have had with friends, family or any women in her life, she was able to place easter eggs throughout the musical that made the show unique and individual to Emily Ramirez.
For some of the cast, they lived during this time that the 9 to 5 movement was progressing, so the women can relate to this story on a deeper level.
Violet, played by Laurie Parpart, has been in the theater for about 40 years and the last show she performed in was the “Christmas Story." Parpart worked in the 80s and could associate herself with the time period of the industry. 9 to 5 has always been a personal favorite movie for her because of its great power it holds towards women. For her, she landed the perfect role.
“This one fits me the best. She's an older woman, and she just wants to empower other women and feel the women's movement,” said Parpart. “In the world of feminists, I have two daughters and they are definitely strong women.”
In case you missed the show, you have until October 3 to buy tickets on https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=pcmoh.
“I'm excited to share the cast with the audience, I'm excited to be another female director in musical theater,” said Ramirez. “There are not enough of us, and I'm happy that Memorial Opera House took a risk on me and have supported me throughout the whole process.”
